Question

According to Hervey Cleckley, the central defining characteristic of a psychopath is _________.

A) Impulsivity
B) Lack of empathy
C) Low intelligence
D) Genetic predisposition

Answer 1

The central defining characteristic of a psychopath according to Hervey Cleckley is a lack of empathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Hervey Cleckley, the central defining characteristic of a psychopath is B) Lack of empathy. This is identified by Cleckley as a core trait that differentiates psychopaths from others, and it manifests as a profound inability to put themselves in the shoes of others and understand or feel what another person is experiencing. This lack of empathy contributes to the manipulative, deceitful, and often criminal behavior observed in psychopaths. While impulsivity is also a trait seen in psychopaths, it is not considered the central characteristic by Cleckley. Similarly, low intelligence and genetic predisposition are not identified as the central characteristic, though they may play roles in the development of psychopathic behaviors.